How We Can Approach and Enter into the Presence of Our Creator
Our optimal life purpose
What is the focus of your life? What are you best equipped to do? What is your optimal purpose in life?
Think beyond natural abilities and learned skills, and beyond the routine of everyday life.
If you have a hard time seeing what that optimal thing is, it's because we all drift from the simple, most basic reason we exist.
Every artist, builder, or designer has a purpose in mind for what they create. Their creation extends from who they are inside.
Instead of asking, “Why are there so many religions?” Consider the existence of so many religions as an indicator of the innate desire all humanity has for a relationship with God—the sovereign Creator of all.
Of course, not everyone chooses this, nor seems to want this. But each person has the capacity and need for a relationship with God. This capacity is embedded in us (Gen 1:27).
Scripture
A psalm by David.
The earth and everything it contains are the Lord’s. The world and all who live in it are his. He laid its foundation on the seas and set it firmly on the rivers.
Who may go up the Lord’s mountain? Who may stand in his holy place? ⌊The one who⌋ has clean hands and a pure heart and does not long for what is false or lie when he is under oath.
⌊This person⌋ will receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from God, his savior. This is the person who seeks him, who searches for the face of the God of Jacob. [vss 1-6] Selah
Lift your heads, you gates. Be lifted, you ancient doors, so that the king of glory may come in. Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty! The Lord, heroic in battle!
Lift your heads, you gates. Be lifted, you ancient doors, so that the king of glory may come in. Who, then, is this king of glory? The Lord of Armies is the king of glory! [vss 7-10] Selah
(Psalm 24:1-10 GW) [Context– Psalm 24]
Reflections and Insights
Psalm 24 begins with a declaration of God’s sovereign power as the Creator of all that exists.
Then it reminds us of what's required to be in the presence of God. Something we all fall short of every day.
So how can we ever approach God in His presence?
First, we need to consider and reflect on who God is! This gives us a right sense of perspective about ourselves, our lives, and our relationship with God.
The second thing to consider are the two questions the psalmist asks. They are rhetorical. The answer is somewhat obvious and given to us in verse 4—
⌊The one who⌋ has clean hands and a pure heart and does not long for what is false or lie when he is under oath.
But this answer poses immediate difficulties for all of us.
Who has “clean hands” or a “pure heart?” Who is free from guilt and innocent of all sin? No one!
We’re given further explanation to help us understand in verse 4, but this may still be unclear at first. Another translation renders the last part of verse 4 this way—
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. (NKJV)
The psalmist gives the key to knowing how we can approach God and enter His presence in verse 6—by seeking God.
It isn’t by our attempt to live a righteous life but to trust in Him personally. Here’s how it’s expressed in the book of Hebrews—
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Her 11:6 NKJV)
The last half of this psalm reminds us that God would make Himself known and approachable—
Be lifted, you ancient doors, so that the king of glory may come in.
God did this through His Son Jesus (John 1:1, 14)—the Lord, the King of Glory and grace. Relationship with God is available by trusting in Jesus, not in ourselves or our efforts to please God.
The focus of this psalm reflects that of the general message of the Bible. Our ultimate and optimal purpose in life is to seek and to worship God—the One, True, and Living God. Everything else in life will fall into place as it needs to for a fulfilled life.
Digging deeper to Make it personal...
Review the Scriptures above as you consider the following questions
What are two things we're told about the Lord and the world we live in on earth?
Who is able to approach God and stand in His presence?
What are four things said about those who may go into God’s presence?
What does this person seek and how are they rewarded for doing this?
Who is spoken of in the last half of this psalm?
How do you see the beginning and end of this psalm connected (beyond who they describe)?
Are you aware of your innate need to have a relationship with God?
If you have a relationship with God—how did you come into this relationship? How were you led into it?
If you don't have a relationship with God—what causes you to be in awe or say "wow," and why is that?
Are you willing to question the purpose of your life in an honest, open way, and to see what God's purpose is for your life?
Would you like a free study guide for your study of Psalms?
Click the link for a free Psalms Study Guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (books mentioned and linked).
